Ideal Welding Forge size?

[J. Keeton]

Hi everyone, I wanted to get your inputs on an Ideal size for a welding forge. The forge I have now gets up to and maybe above the welding temps needed to make damascus; however, my problem is that the inside of the forge is limiting on the length I can make billets. I was thinking of eventually making a vertical welding forge some time down the line. If you had to build an Ideal welding forge what type would you built and how big?

This is what I currently have.





(3 layers of inswool coated with ITC 100 and Satanite and a fire brick bottom.) The thing kicks and works well for me now, but I am thinking of future endeavors.


Thanks,

 

[A C Richards]

My welding forge is 12 inches od x 18 inches long. The Id of the forge is 8 inches. I can do a 36 inch billet no problem, just turn it around. I can lengthen the forge with fire brick another 6 or 8 inches. I have made it according to Wayne Goddards dragons breath forge but a little larger. His has a 10 inch od. It all depends on how large a billet you are wanting to do. I have welded up to 4x4x10 inches long. It starts to get really heavy in this size range. Smaller more compact forges heat faster and use less gas, it's all a trade off.

Chuck

 

[Don Hanson III]

Don Fogg style vertical "trash can forge" 16'' pipe, 2'' wool, 12'' working depth with 2'' door in back and 4'' door in front. Flux don't bother this one, I've made over 500 pounds of damascus in the last 6 years and only relined it once. Don Fogg has how to build info on his site. I know, this is a bad pic but the only one I could find.

 

[Will52100]

your forge is basicly the same as mine, except that I've got a venturi burnner and a hair drier taped to the bell fitting. I only use one layer of 1" wool, and a good heavy layer of Satanite on the bottom. Don't have too much trouble, have to rebuild ever so often. I've still got most of a roll of wool I bought 4 years ago. On the front on mine I stack fire brick in front and if I need a bigger opening I just slide the fire brick out of the way or close it up once I get the billet smaller. And remeber, you don't have to work the entire bar at once, I generaly work 8-10" at a time. A big billet for me is drill line cable which measures about 4" square and 8" long before first weldind squish.